NATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman shifted out of Srinagar

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became the face of the tense military confrontation between India and Pakistan, has been shifted out of Srinagar and posted to a frontline air base in the western sector.

a. Key Facts

The IAF was going to recommend Varthaman’s name for Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, which is the third highest after the Paramvir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. U.S. to announce end to sanctions waivers for Iran oil imports

The United States is expected to announce that all importers of Iranian oil will have to end their imports shortly or be subject to U.S. sanctions.

The administration will terminate the sanctions waivers it had granted to some importers of Iranian oil late last year.

a. Key Facts

U.S. President Donald Trump has been clear to his national security team over the last few weeks that he wants the waivers to end, and national security adviser John Bolton has been working the issue within the administration.

2. World Earth Day

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On 22nd April 2009 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 22nd April as the “International Mother Earth Day”.

The resolution was introduced by the unitary plurinational state of Bolivia and was supported by 50 other member states of the United Nations.

The term “Mother Earth” implies the interdependent relationship which exists between all the species of planet earth and to acknowledge earth’s role in sustaining them all.

a. Key Facts

“International Mother Earth Day” is aimed at sharing responsibilities and setting agendas for a peaceful coexistence with nature.

World Earth Day 2019 theme is “Protect Our Species”. It will mainly focus on saving species which are on the verge of extinction due climate change, deforestation, pollution and illegal poaching.

INDIA AND WORLD

1. Canada’s Brookfield looks to acquire Mytrah Energy

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Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is in talks to buy a majority stake in Hyderabad-based Mytrah Energy as the alternative assets manager looks to make its first renewable investment of more than $1 billion in India.

The stake sale could be valued at more than $1 billion, reaching up to nearly $1.5 billion given the size of Mytrah’s portfolio.

a. Key Facts

If successful, the Brookfield Mytrah deal will also be the largest transaction in the Indian renewable space in terms of size of the portfolio.

Previous mega deals in the space include ReNew Power’s acquisition of 1.1GW portfolio of Ostro Energy in 2018 at approximately $1.54 billion and Tata Power Renewable Energy’s acquisition of 1.14GW portfolio from Welspun Renewables in 2016 for close to $1.4 billion.

DEFENCE AND SECURITY

The Indian Navy launched guided missile destroyer Imphal, the third ship under Project 15-B, at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai on April 20.

It has been named after the Battle of Imphal and Kohima that were fought 75 years ago.

a. Key Facts

Imphal has a length of 163 metres and 17.4 metres at the beam and a displacement of 7.300 tonnes, which are propelled by four gas turbines to achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.

Like the previously launched warships Vishakhapatnam and Marmugao, Imphal can also carry and operate two multiple role helicopters.

2. Indian, US Navies hold anti-submarine warfare exercise

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Indian and the US Navies have held a joint submarine-hunting exercise in the Indian Ocean, aiming to lay the groundwork for coordinating maritime patrol and reconnaissance.

a. Key Facts

Indian and the US’ P-8 anti-submarine aircraft, along with the USS Spruance, a guided-missile destroyer, participated in the anti—submarine warfare training on April 15.

3. Curtain Raiser - Naval Commanders’ Conference 2019/1

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The first edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2019 is scheduled at New Delhi from 23 to 25 April 2019.

The conference is the apex forum within the Service for interaction between the Naval Commanders.

a. Key Facts

The Chief of the Naval Staff, with the Commanders-in-Chief, will review major operational, materiel, logistics, HR, training and administrative activities undertaken during the previous six months and deliberate upon the course to be steered in the ensuing six months.

The Conference assumes greater significance in the backdrop of Pulwama associated events that have brought country’s defence under sharper focus and will provide the higher naval leadership

SPORTS

1. Annu wins javelin silver, Parul claims 5000 bronze

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Javelin thrower Annu Rani won silver and Parul Choudhary claimed bronze in 5000m as India opened its medal count on the first day of the Asian Athletics Championships at the Khalifa Stadium.

a. Key Facts

Annu, 26, the national record holder who won bronze in the 2017 edition in Bhubaneswar, hurled the spear to 60.22m, finishing second. China’s Lyu Huihui won gold (65.83m).

Annu’s performance was more than 2m short of her national mark of 62.34m, set in the Federation Cup held in Patiala last month, which helped qualify for the World Championships to be held here in September-October.

PERSON DIED

1. Urban historian of Madras, S Muthiah passed away​​​​​​​

Muthiah, who was a prominent writer, atlas-maker and the urban Historian of Madras, passed away in a Chennai. He was 89.

He was also known as a raconteur for his skilful way of portraying the urban history of Madras, which essentially kept the history and heritage of Madras alive.

a. Key Facts

“A Madras Miscellany” and “Madras Rediscovered” were among the plenty of books and hundreds of write-ups in his credit capturing the history and story of Madras, a small fishing hamlet that took shape into a metropolitan city over the centuries.

Master brain behind the Madras Book Club and Madras Day Celebrations every year, Muthiah was also editing a fortnightly magazine, Madras Musings.